Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia nervosa
Understand anorexia nervosa symptoms, medical complications, emergency signs, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment.
What is anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa involves restriction leading to significantly low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight or persistent behavior preventing restoration, and disturbed weight or shape experience. It can affect people of every body size, age, sex and background; appearance cannot determine medical stability.
Possible warning signs
- Severe restriction or rigid food rules
- Intense or compulsive exercise
- Rapid loss, fainting, cold intolerance or weakness
- Slow pulse, low blood pressure or menstrual and hormonal changes
- Preoccupation with weight, food or body checking
Medical and mental-health emergencies
Assessment and treatment
Evaluation includes eating behavior, mental health, vital signs, physical examination, laboratory testing and an ECG when indicated. Treatment may combine medical stabilization, nutrition rehabilitation, psychotherapy, family support and medication for selected coexisting symptoms. The level of care may range from outpatient treatment to hospitalization.
Weight-loss treatment requires caution
Active or suspected eating disorders require a recovery-centered plan. Appetite-suppressing medication, restrictive dieting, detailed calorie tracking or routine weight-focused messaging may be unsafe until a specialist assesses the situation.
How W8MD can help
W8MD can screen for disordered eating during weight-care visits, identify medical instability, stop an inappropriate weight-loss plan and coordinate referral to an eating-disorder specialist or higher level of care. W8MD does not treat an active eating disorder as a routine weight-loss problem.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone have this disorder at a higher weight?
Yes. Serious eating disorders occur across the weight spectrum.
Is recovery possible?
Yes. Early, coordinated treatment improves recovery prospects.
Should family members get involved?
Supportive family or chosen-family involvement can be valuable when appropriate and guided by the treatment team.
Authoritative sources
Request a confidential clinical assessment
W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa provides physician-supervised care in Brooklyn, New York and Northeast Philadelphia. Telehealth may be available for eligible patients based on location and applicable requirements.
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